Overview

The BEYOND Study aims to evaluate HIV treatment outcomes and well-being among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) living with HIV in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Despite progress in HIV services, YMSM continue to experience disparities in engagement in care, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, and viral suppression, influenced by individual, social, and structural factors including stigma and limited access to person-centered care.

This prospective cohort study will enroll 300 YMSM living with HIV from four clinical sites, including public, private, and community-based clinics. Participants will be followed for 12 months, with data collection at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The study will assess key outcomes including viral suppression, ART adherence, retention in care, mental health, and quality of life. In addition, in-depth interviews will be conducted with a subset of 20-30 participants to explore experiences with HIV care and barriers and facilitators to engagement.

The study will also examine the implementation and perceived impact of person-centered care and one-stop-shop service models across different healthcare settings. Findings from this study will inform strategies to improve HIV treatment outcomes and support the development of integrated, patient-centered approaches to care for YMSM living with HIV in Vietnam and similar settings.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 to 24 years
• Self-identified as male and reporting sex with men in the past 12 months
• Confirmed HIV diagnosis according to Vietnam Ministry of Health (MOH) national HIV testing guidelines
• Currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at one of the participating study clinics
• Residing in Ho Chi Minh City or nearby areas and able to attend study visits at participating clinics
• Able to understand and communicate in Vietnamese
• Willing and able to provide informed consent and participate in study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Younger than 18 years or older than 24 years
• Not currently receiving ART or receiving ART from a non-participating clinic
• Severe cognitive impairment or mental health condition that, in the judgment of the research team, would interfere with the ability to provide informed consent or participation
• Currently enrolled in another clinical or behavioral study that may interfere with this study
• Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent or comply with study procedures